The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings are to set stage for the East Asian Leaders' Meetings to be held in October in Brunei. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend four foreign ministers' meetings to discuss with foreign ministers of other countries China-ASEAN relations, East Asian cooperation as well as current international and regional situation.

China believes that East Asia enjoys a sound momentum of development but is also faced with quite a few challenges. In this connection, countries participating at the meeting should enhance communication, expand common ground, remove disturbances, broaden cooperation, seize the hard-won opportunity for the development of East Asia and overcome obstacles lying ahead. China hopes that the foreign ministers' meetings will help promote political mutual trust among all countries, improve regional connectivity and economic integrity, strengthen East Asian cooperation in the field of non-traditional security. We are ready to work together with all parties to that end.

Q: Did the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) get approval from the central government of China on allowing Snowden to leave Hong Kong?

A: The HKSAR government has given a clear statement on Snowden's departure from Hong Kong. Hong Kong is ruled by law. In accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as the principle of "one country, two systems", the central government always respects the HKSAR government's handling of affairs in accordance with law.

Q: Please brief us on the latest developments of the attack in the campsite of Nanga Parbat in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir and what China has done.

A: China is deeply shocked at and strongly condemns the terrorist and violent attack. We require the Pakistani side to protect the safety of the survivors, cooperate with us to properly deal with the follow-up matters, bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible, and take effective measures to ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizens in Pakistan. The competent Pakistani authorities conveyed to the Chinese side the condolences of Prime Minister Sharif and the Pakistani government to the victims and the bereaved families.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Pakistan launched the emergency response mechanism shortly after the incident. The Chinese survivors have now temporarily settled in the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, and the remains of the victims have been taken to Pakistani capital Islamabad. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Pakistan will continue to give full assistance to the survivors' return to China and the bereaved families' visit to Pakistan to handle the follow-up matters.

Q: Snowden reportedly said before leaving Hong Kong that the US government intruded the networks of Chinese telecommunications companies and Tsinghua university, monitoring short messages and other information. How does China respond?

A: We are gravely concerned about the recently disclosed cyber attacks by relevant US government agencies against China. It shows once again that China falls victim to cyber attacks. We have made representations with the US.

I would like to reiterate that China is opposed to all forms of cyber attacks. We are ready to actively enhance dialogue and cooperation with the international community in the spirit of mutual respect, so as to jointly uphold peace and security of the cyber space.

A: China expresses deep condolences over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the flood in Northern India. Premier Li Keqiang has sent a message of condolences to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over that. We believe that under the leadership of the Indian government, Indian people of the disaster-stricken area can overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland at an early date.

Q: Comments say that out of humanitarian consideration, China opened a passage for the Philippines to rotate and supply its personnel on the Ren'ai Reef. However, the Philippine Defense Secretary said that the Philippines could take any action without notifying China. What is China's comment?

A: China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands including the Ren'ai Reef and their adjacent waters. The Philippines grounded its warship on China's Ren'ai Reef due to a "malfunction" in 1999 and refused to honor its commitment of towing away the ship under the excuse of technical problems despite China's persistent requirement. The Philippines' activities violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). I want to point out that the Philippine warship's grounding on the Ren'ai Reef does not constitute an actual occupation of it. China will by no means accept the Philippines' illegal occupation of the Ren'ai Reef in any form. We once again urge the Philippine side to earnestly honor its commitment, avoid taking provocative actions that complicate the situation, and make its due efforts to uphold peace, stability and cooperation in the South China Sea.

Q: Is China aware who attacked the campsite of Nanga Parbat in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir?

A: China has required the Pakistani side to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. We will stay in communication with the Pakistani side over relevant issue.

Q: Why did the US hack TsinghuaUniversity?

A: I am not in the position to answer the question. You should ask the one who carried out the cyber attack.

Q: Please give us more details about State Councilor Yang Jiechi's visit to Nepal.

A: At the invitation of the government of Nepal, State Councilor Yang Jiechi will pay a visit to Nepal from June 24 to 25. We will release relevant information in due course.

Nepal is China's traditional friendly neighbour. China-Nepal relations have maintained a sound momentum of healthy and steady development. China is ready push forward China-Nepal comprehensive cooperative partnership on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which serves the fundamental interests of the two countries, meets the common aspiration of the two peoples and contributes to regional peace, stability and development.